CHAPTER XIII 



GRAZING CATTLE, THEIR DISEASES AND POISONS 



Selection of Grazing Cattle Early Maturity Bad Points Three 

 Classes of Grazings Symptoms of Ailment in Cattle at Pasture 

 Bovine Diseases: Anthrax, Black Quarter, Red-Water, Foot-and- 

 Mouth, Pleuro-pneumonia, Broncho-pneumonia, Rinderpest 

 Poisons : Arsenic, Lead, Hemlock, Belladonna, Ergot, Acorns, Yew, 

 and Laburnum Snake Bite Warble Fly. 



" Man's most natural occupation is the raising of flocks and herds 

 upon the grass of the plains, the valleys, and hills. Grass and cattle are 

 inseparable in the economy of nature, and the husbandman of to-day is 

 following the first progressive instinct of mankind in utilising through 

 animal husbandry the otherwise wasted herbage." Secretary HAYS, 

 U.S.A. 



IT is more difficult to judge of the quality or value of store 

 cattle than of fat ones. The most important rules for 

 guidance in this matter cannot be learned by reading. A man 

 must get to understand animals instinctively through long 

 experience and intimate connection with them, to be able to 

 judge of the possible outcome from the appearance at any 

 time. In buying, one ought to learn how the beasts have 

 been kept for some months previous to the time in question, 

 and never take those from a better climate or which have been 

 accustomed to better food than is to be had in their new 

 quarters. Cattle moderately fed, and not kept too warm in 

 winter, are generally acknowledged to have done better when 

 the end of the grazing time comes than those which have been 

 well fed but kept in close byres : in the latter, the hair tends to 

 fall or rub off too early in the season, leaving them too little 

 of their natural hirsute protection when turned out to grass in 

 spring. Those that lie out all winter often in the end do 

 best, if not too lean at the beginning of the season ; the extra 

 constitution gained by being out and living under more 



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